We are often told by the media, Ofcom and companies that international roaming charges will become cheaper. Will there be a real change in the future or is it more of the same old story?
The way the economy is now, the financial directors of companies big and small are scrambling to find ways to cut costs on a business mobile and international calling.
Not providing enough information to businesses and consumers is one more problem associated with using business mobile phones abroad. How much is this going to cost us? It is possible to use mobile minutes in foreign countries? Are there any alternatives and ways of saving money?
Lets take a brief overview at what is on offer in the market place.
Orange ‘business customers’ can make UK calls to 28 countries from their minute bundle, similar offers are available on o2 and T-mobile. Business World Traveller offered by Orange, will provide 25% off on roaming data and 50% off on standard voice roaming charges.
Vodafone have a similar service called ‘Passport’. It also offers reduced call charges whilst abroad. Pay 75p connection charge per call when abroad, then talk at your usual UK rate. Get your Vodafone sevice today call 5555 and recieve a free Vodafone handset.
o2 have what’s called ‘International Traveller Service’ which allows customers to call from Europe to the UK for £0.30p per minute. However, if you are calling from other parts of the world then the charges can vary from between £0.81p to £1.20 per minute.
T-mobile also have competitive roaming offers. T-mobile charge between £0.38p and £0.55p per minute to call the UK from Europe. Receiving calls with T-mobile have recently fallen meaning the cost is between £0.13p to £0.20p for Europe.
Depending on your tariff and network, you can often tack on bundles of international minutes for use in a certain country.
If you are regularly visiting a country and using your business mobile phone to call the UK, one option is to buy a local SIM card. You will in turn get a local phone number for the country you're in. Because in some countries you must be a registered inhabitant this may not be possible.
In the UK, you can also purchase international PAYG/Prepaid SIM cards that sometimes save as much as 50% or 60% in call charges.
The networks are vying for our business and the International roaming market is one area that competition is really starting to warm up. I feel optimistic that the cost of roaming worldwide will continue to become more competitive. In the end, mobile service providers are competing to reduce prices even more.
Finally, whilst the networks are bombarded with bad press for over charging on roaming I believe they are reacting in a positive way that will benefit business mobile users in the UK.
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